As a Senior Lecturer in Metabolic Signaling at the Biomedical Institute for Multimorbidity (BIM) within Hull York Medical School (HYMS), my role involves establishing a competitive research program focused on metabolic signaling in diabetes. The core objective of this program is to delve into the biology and pathobiology of pancreatic islets and insulin-producing beta cells, aiming to unravel the mechanisms underlying beta-cell failure in diabetes. This understanding is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic targets that could transform the treatment of diabetes.
I completed my Bachelor's degree in Biology at Tarbiat Moalem University in 2004 in Tehran, Iran. I then pursued my master's thesis in Biochemistry at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB) between 2005 and 2007 at the University of Tehran, Iran. Subsequently, I earned my PhD in Biology from the University of Bremen, Germany in 2013. From 2014 to 2023, I served as a Junior Group Leader at the University of Bremen, Germany. Currently, I work as a Senior Lecturer at University of Hull.
Areas of Expertise
Signal Transduction, Mechanistic Biology, and Drug Target Discovery in Metabolism and Metabolic Disorders i.e. Obesity and Diabetes
Our research primarily focuses on pancreatic islet biology, with a particular emphasis on signal transduction pathways in diabetes. The central theme of my group is the selective targeting of complex intracellular signaling networks to either directly block insulin-producing pancreatic β-cell death programs or enhance β-cell regenerative capabilities. This long-standing program has already led to the development of innovative treatment approaches for diabetes.
We also aim to understand the mechanisms of β-cell quiescence, vulnerability, and autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes and exploit this mechanistic information to develop novel targets for β-cell repair and regeneration in type 1 diabetes. Specifically, my research aims to identify the mechanisms of the Hippo and mTOR signaling pathways, which are master regulators of organ size, metabolism, regeneration, and tissue homeostasis in β-cells.
I have been fortunate to secure several national and international grants and awards for my investigations into the molecular pathophysiology of the Hippo and mTOR signaling pathways, which are highly relevant in many diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and β-cell destruction in diabetes.
Most immediate research topics available are to identify
(1) the mechanisms of β-cell quiescence, vulnerability, and autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes and
(2) exploit this mechanistic information to develop novel targets for β-cell repair and regeneration in type 1 diabetes.
• Member of European Association for the Study of diabetes (EASD)
• Member of Endocrine Society• Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports
• Associate Editor, Frontier in Endocrinology: Diabetes: Molecular Mechanisms
• Grant Reviewer, German Research Foundation (DFG), Diabetes UK, Israel Science Foundation (ISF)
• Journal Reviewer, Cell Metabolism, Nature Metabolism, Nature Communications, Cell Reports, Diabetologia, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy etc
• 2019, JDRF Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship
• 2018, Impulse grant award, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
• 2018, Career Advancement Initiative Award, Journal of Molecular Biology (JMB)
• 2017, Early Investigators awards, Endocrine Society (supported by Lilly USA, LLC)
• 2017, EFSD/Lilly Research Fellowship Programme
• 2015, University of Bremen award for first successful DFG (German Research Foundation) grant
• 2014, Albert Renold travel fellowship award, EFSD
• 2014, Student prize “Bremer Studienpreis” for best PhD dissertation of year, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
• 2013, Young scientist at 1st DZD Diabetes Research School, Barcelona, Spain
• 2008, Student prize for Master thesis, University of Tehran, Iran
• 2008, Young scientist award at the 8th FEBS-IUBMB YOUNG SCIENTISTS FORUM in the the 33rd FEBS CONGRESS & 11th IUBMB CONFERENCE. Athens, Greece
• 2007, Razi award for young scientists at the 9th Iranian Congress of Biochemistry & the 2nd International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shiraz, Iran